tap tap

By Boris Mellor
September 19 2012

Well Wenger predicted that Steve Bould would manage Arsenal one day, and most of us forgot that it was due to happen by this Tuesday. Apparently Bouldy didn’t enjoy it that much, he said it gave him a headache and a half, now you know how the rest of us feel Steve. Bould proved to be a very Wenger like manager, making most of his substitutions in the last 30 seconds; when most of us had been screaming for the last 30 minutes that Diaby needed a “rest”, well that was the word the more erudite used.

It’s not often that Arsenal win away in their first group game, actually it’s not often that Arsenal win away in the CL full stop, so it all made a very pleasant change. It was a great result, if not a great performance, the Guardian proclaimed that Arsenal passed the French Test, well they couldn’t have meant in football. They probably meant in comedy, miming in particular.

Diaby, notably, did some fantastic impressions of Marcel Marceau going all rubbery legged in the penalty area, and pretending to defend. Oh the match? Oh well if you insist. Here goes, after only 9 minutes Vermaelen gave away a penalty, at first sight I thought it was a travesty, but after watching the slomo I could see the case for it, although it was hard to judge if it was in the area.

Mannone moved the wrong way as Belhanda chipped the ball down the middle. All those past miserable nights in Europe welled up before me, but Arsenal showed great mental strength (I was very disappointed that Bould didn’t mention mental fortitude in the post-match interview, he won’t get the job if he doesn’t mention that) and equalised on 16 minutes, a beautiful goal by Podolski. Hardly had the celebrations subsided than Gervinho scored from a tap in. A complete reversal of fortune in only nine minutes.

Arsenal were in full sail, and it seemed that an easy victory was on the cards. However, the game, in spite of Gunner dominance, stayed at 2-1 as the teams went in for the half-time oranges.

The second half was bizarre, it was nearly all Montpellier attacking and Arsenal on the back foot. Arsenal seemed to lose all shape, the midfield lost their grip entirely and allowed the French to cause panic and mayhem in defence. I commented that the glut of miss passing reminded me of a pub team, my friend thought that was unfair. I had to agree, some pub teams aren’t that bad.

Fortunately a combination of last ditch defending, Mannone, the post, the bar, the referee, and bad shooting all combined to deny the French another goal. Apparently they were missing their leading scorer, who though not scoring for Arsenal made some useful contributions to both goals. In injury time Diaby clearly fouled Cabella in the area, but the referee failed to see it, well you need a bit of luck.

So Arsenal had ground out a result – very Steve Bould – or was it?

Only if he instructed the team to lose all shape and run around like headless chickens for the last 45 minutes is the answer, but to be fair there was a certain element of grit about the performance. He probably did want them to defend their lead, but probably not quite in the style they did.

It might be that International week finally caught up with Arsenal, that it was one journey and one match too soon after the break. Surely the midfield won’t take another day off at Citeh?

Bould's Mentally Strong Arsenal Grind Out Lucky Result

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 19/09/2012 19:15

Arsenal Times
19/09/2012 19:15

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:09:23:19:36:14 by Padre Pio.

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Mad Jens
19/09/2012 19:29

I don't know if Bould is a Wenger like manager so much as Wenger told him exactly how he wanted the game managed.

Second half was a bit of a mess as you say - course you'd rather play fugly and win than pretty and lose. This Arsenal side definitely isn't as pretty as a couple years ago but one way or another they're doing the business.

Long may it continue. Because I can't stand this place when we don't.

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Padre Pio
19/09/2012 19:56

Thats the joke, we dont know what kind of manager Bould will be

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

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Rockstaar
19/09/2012 20:16

believe me no one will remember or care how Arsenal played once out of the group stages...a win is a win

doubt chelsea fans think about what horrible football they played to the CL championship

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Philly the kid
19/09/2012 21:12

My guess is that they went in feeling too comfortable at half time. Expected more of the same, then eased off for the city match.
Like your article though Celine. Half way between jack dee and nick hornby



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:09:19:21:15:56 by Philly the kid.

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Padre Pio
19/09/2012 21:24

we must be morphing, its not Celine but Boris

"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.

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Philly the kid
19/09/2012 21:28

Quote:

Padre Pio
we must be morphing, its not Celine but Boris

Terribly sorry, Padre.
Missed the author and had mistakenly presumed!!
Oops!
It was a good, fun article to read though. Kudos, Padre!

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